DRC Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba Strengthens Strategic Mining and Diamond Partnerships in Belgium
DRC Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba Strengthens Strategic Cooperation During Belgium Mission
On a working mission to the Kingdom of Belgium, His Excellency Mr. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), visited the facilities of the UMICORE Group in Olen on Monday, June 8, 2026.
UMICORE is globally recognized as a leader in the production and refining of cobalt and germanium, two critical minerals essential to modern technologies and the global energy transition.
The visit provided the Congolese Minister with an opportunity to discover the advanced technologies and innovations developed by the Group across the critical minerals value chain.
Minister Watum Kabamba expressed his satisfaction with the level of innovation observed and praised the existing partnership between the DRC and Belgium, which continues to promote the exchange of expertise, technology and industrial know-how for the benefit of the Congolese mining sector.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Congolese Government to promoting local value addition through the processing and transformation of the country’s mineral resources.
This ambition aligns with the national strategy aimed at increasing the contribution of the mining sector to economic growth, industrialization and job creation.
Following the visit to UMICORE, the ministerial delegation travelled to Antwerp for discussions with the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), one of the world’s leading platforms for the rough diamond trade.
The delegation also visited BONAS GROUP, a Belgian company with more than 150 years of experience in the international diamond industry.
The discussions focused on opportunities for the development of the diamond sector, strengthening partnerships with international operators and exploring new avenues for cooperation capable of increasing the competitiveness and attractiveness of Congolese diamonds on global markets.
The day concluded with a high-level meeting between Minister Louis Watum Kabamba and His Excellency Mr. Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium.
Their exchanges focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the DRC and Belgium, particularly in the strategic sectors of mineral resources, industrialization and sustainable development.
This mission forms part of the vision of His Excellency Mr. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, President of the Republic and Head of State, aimed at promoting the local processing of mineral resources and maximizing their contribution to the economic and social development of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The initiative is being implemented under the coordination of Her Excellency Mrs. Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Prime Minister of the DRC.
